This is my first fic, so please be nice. It is SSHG, so no likey, no ready. I'd appreciate reviews, but flames will be used to toast marshmallows! Here's Chappie 1!
My name is Hermione Granger. I was sitting in Advanced Potions class, gazing at the instructions on the chalkboard while lazily stirring my cauldron. I felt Professor Snape passing behind me, looking over my shoulder.
"Well done, Miss Granger. At least one of my students isn't a complete idiot," he said in his silky voice before going on to check on other students. I felt my face burning with embarrassment. Wait a minute! Did he just compliment me? A Gryffindor? I could hardly wait til the bell rang to tell Harry and Ron.
I saw her diligently stirring her cauldron, the only student who had managed to not foul up her potion. I walked around the room, pretending to survey the class, but I was really trying to get closer to her. As I grew nearer, I heard her murmuring the instructions under her breath.
Before I knew what I was doing, I praised her work. I saw her blush, and that made something inside me churn. I hurried on past her, hiding my face from the rest of my students. Otherwise, they would have seen my pale skin turning scarlet.
"Class dismissed. Turn in your potions, then you may leave"
The rest of the day passed too quickly, and again I found myself at the head table, eating dinner and forcing myself to be civil to Hagrid, the half-giant oaf. I nodded my head in agreement to whatever he was blabbing on about tonight (bang backed newts or something), but my eyes kept straying to the Gryffindor table, where a certain someone was sitting. I didn't realize I had been staring until a set of beautiful hazel eyes met mine. To cover up for my blunder, I forced my lips into their usual sneer, and she looked away, upset. Oh great, Severus. Look what you've done now!
After a strange dinner and a sleepless night, a new day rose. I sleepily prepared for my first class--Potions. Oh shoot! I forgot to study for the test in there today!
When I entered the classroom, the instructions were already on the board in Professor Snape's spidery handwriting. I went right to work, and before I knew it,there were only 15 minutes left in class. I stood up to stretch (I had been sitting for the better part of two hours!)and put some of the ingrediants back in the cupboard. The potion had to set for two minutes anyway.
When I got back to my seat two minutes later, my beautiful blue potion had turned bright orange and was hissing and smoking! Professor Snape walked by and Vanished my potion. "Tsk, tsk, Miss Granger. I expected better from you. Stay after class," he said in a heartless tone. I was shattered. I had worked for two hours on this very complex potion, and I had made sure everything was perfect! That left only one option--sabotage. But by whom?
I saw the moment I had been waiting for. Hermione left her seat, and I shot a disrupting spell at her cauldron, rendering it useless. There was no going back now.
I watched her return to her seat, dismayed. It's now or never! I reprimanded her, trying to keep my voice neutral. Soon after, the bell rang and all the students left, except for Hermione of course.
She approached my desk apprehensively, then opened her mouth to speak. "Professor, I brewed that potion perfectly! There is no possible way I could have fumbled! You of all people should know; you were watching me the whole time!" she clapped her hand over her mouth after the last sentence and blushed furiously. I struggled to keep my face calm, but my heartbeat was racing. To recover, I had to say something very unkind, but since when did I care about saying that to a student, let alone a Gryffindor? "20 points from Gryffindor for your back talk, Miss Granger. Now, if you can control yourself, I will continue." She was still too embarrassed to speak.
"Good. Now, since you completely botched your test, I would normally give you a zero," I started, laughing on the inside at the look of fear on her face. "However, I am feeling especially generous today, so here is what I'll do.
"I will arrange a detention for you to come here and work on your potion making skills. Your extraordinary test scores have not gone unnoticed, and I am in need of help making potions for the hospital wing"
"Erm, alright Professor," she said, because what else could she say?
Don't sound too happy! "Good, because you didn't really have a choice. I expect ot see you here on Saturday at eight o clock sharp. Tardiness is not acceptable," I warned, but inside I was ecstatic.
Saturday arrived, and I was at the classroom at 7:55, waiting for Professor Snape to arrive. He finally came around the corner at 8:12 and let me in the dungeon. As we entered, I muttered under my breath, "Mieux vaut tard que jamais," which means, "Better late than never." I had no idea Professor Snape spoke French until he turned around and said, "Ah, mademoiselle. Tu n'as pas savoir que je parle francais? Five points from Gryffindor for insulting a teacher. Now that you've made a fool of yourself, are you ready to begin?" he asked, but not in a mean way. In fact, I was kinda surprised and pleased that he spoke French too! I had asked almost all of the students if they spoke French, and all had replied no. Even the high and mighty Draco Malfoy wasn't cultured enough to say he spoke a foreign language!
I followed Professor Snape over to a table where a dusty cauldron was sitting. "Now, Miss Granger," he said. "You will be helping me brew an Energy Renewing potion. It is very complex, which is why it is a NEWT level potion, "he added trying to scare me, but I looked at him calmly and nodded my head, unfazed.
"Erm, Professor, will I be making up my potion test?" I asked. I really didn't want to get a zero; that test was worth a lot of points!
"No. However, I will allow you to come her on Saturdays to do some extra credit. Enough chitchat. Let's get to work."
Hermione and I worked for several hours on the complicated potion. The morning flew by, and before I knew it, lunch was upon us. I silently stood from where I had been seated next to Hermione and conjured a tray full of sandwiches and two goblets of pumpkin juice. She didn't even look up, she was so engrossed with the potion. "Lunch is ready, Hermione," I called over to her, then shut my mouth, berating myself. I had just called a student by her first name!
She looked up, startled. "What did you call me, Professor?" she asked slowly. I gulped.
"A slip of the tongue, Miss Gran-," I began, but she interrupted me.
"No! No, Professor! Uh, what I mean is...how do I put this? What I mean is ...it didn't bother me. I mean, I kinda...well, 'like' isn't the best term to use, but...do you understand what I'm trying to say?" she trailed off, her question hanging like a dark cloud in the room.
"Miss Granger, I am sorry. It won't happen again," I began again, to be once again cut off by her protests.
"Professor Snape, it's alright! You don't need to apologize"
This time it was I who broke into her speech. "Miss Granger, this subject is closed. You can either continue to annoy me with this pointless argument, or you can eat lunch and prepare for the completion of the potion. It is your choice," I said firmly, then took a bite out of a pickle and bologna sandwich (my favorite.) She sighed, but took a seat and began to eat.
"Professor?" she asked finally, breaking the silence between us. I looked at her, raising an eyebrow.
"Would it be alright with you if I came back tomorrow to practice brewing some NEWT potions? I'm trying to prepare for next year," she said timidly, seemingly afraid of what I might say.
I couldn't believe my own nerve! Asking Professor Snape for another reason to spend time in the dungeons! He won't buy it, I'm sure. My excuse was pretty lame, but I really want to stay here, in his presence. I mean, because he is such an intelligent person. Oh come on Hermione, you know you like him! One part of me argued with the other part. But really, the only feeling I have for him is respect, not love!
I tried to tune out the fighting of my conscience and listen to Professor Snape's reply to my question. After an interminable pause, he nodded his head slightly and curtly, closing the matter.
Suddenly, the contents of the cauldron turned pink and emitted gold and silver stars, the perfect distraction from my reddening face. I collected myself as Professor Snape rushed past me to the potion, then I followed him to the questionable cauldron.
I approached the table cautiously, wary of the sparks, then I looked inside. I heard Professor Snape swear under his breath, and I barely suppressed a giggle. As I drew a breath to calm my laughter, more sparks flew out of the potion, and I inhaled them. The last thing I remembered was clouds of black swirling in upon my vision, then I was spiraling down into nothing.
How'd ya like it? Please review!
Lotsaluv,
Liv